Kirsty Paterson

From Thursday, June 23 until Sunday, June 26, the best of farming, food and rural life in Scotland will be flocking to Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre in Ingleston for the 176th event.

Organisers have announced that the show has raised almost £450k in sponsorship for the 2016 event, with title sponsor, The Royal Bank of Scotland, continuing to support the show and the agricultural industry in Scotland.

Other major sponsors - including Heineken, Marks & Spencer, Greenspan Energy, ScottishPower, McDermott Group and Quality Meat Scotland - have confirmed their renewed support for the event, which attracted over 180,000 visitors in 2015.

Peter D Stirling has increased its sponsorship this year, making the company a new major sponsor, and the Gillespie Family will mark their 38th year as a loyal supporter of the show in the show jumping competition

New to the show this year is an overall prize in the Scottish Cheese, Scottish Ice Cream, and Scottish Butter Championships - this will be sponsored by Lactallis McLelland under its Seriously Strong Cheddar brand.

Willie Gill, RHASS Chairman, said: “As a registered charity, the Society relies on this sponsorship to put on the show. The overwhelming support we receive from our sponsors year on year is testament to the popularity of the Royal Highland Show and its reputation for being the place to do business. The 35 years of support from the Royal Bank of Scotland is really a testament to their commitment to the rural and agricultural community in Scotland.”